Went to see The Little Mermaid on Broadway (check out link for video, shots of the amazing abs, and to hear the music). Some people love it. Some people hate it. I was in the middle. And, here's why...
I love the movie. I am not ashamed to admit that I have seen it at least 20 times. I used to sing with the cassette tape at the top of my lungs with my friends. At the top of my lungs. In public places. I saw the re-release in the theater as a senior in college. LOVE IT.
Here's the thing about performing a show ripped from a movie that the audience has memorized: when you try to make it your own as a performer, you ruin it for the audience. Ariel was amazing. Why? Because she's obviously watched the movie a zillion times, and did everything. exactly. the. same. Same smiles. Same pauses. Same oomph. She's got a fantastic voice, dances well, has absolutely no shame about making an ass of herself, and it's incredibly endearing. Because most of us were there because we loved the movie, or loved someone who loved the movie.
It's a strange thing to know every note of a song, and have a performer riff on it. You've heard it a thousand times, and suddenly, it's wrong. This is often my problem with live music. If I love the song, I'm often really disappointed to hear my favorite part change. Sebastian and Ursula were protrayed by really talented performers, who are obviously trying to break away from the movie to make a name for themselves. Might win them a Tony (aside - Tony voters have designated seats. Who knew?) But it kind of wrecked it for the rest of us. Which is not to say that you shouldn't see this. The audience had a great time - 2 little girls climbed on stage in the 1st act, and the kid next to me stood on her father's lap the whole time. All the dad's loved "Les Poisson," not really sure why. The story's a little different, but it's a solid show. Unless you loved the original. This bodes well for my Lion King experience, cuz I hated that movie, and it's all arty and shit.
So, what was good? The set was really well done, the mermaid tails were cooler than reported, and the heelys worked. It really felt like everyone was swimming. The costumes made me feel really, really sorry for the chorus. Grown men shouldn't have to rollerskate in a body leotard working frog puppets. It's just wrong. Ariel and Triton had ah-maz-ing bodies. Click the link to check it out. And, the new songs were actually much stronger than some of the originals, because the leads weren't working overtime to disappoint the hell out of you.
But, for me, I'll stick with the movie. And, pray they never make Alladin the Musical. Oh, shit...
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